[article=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/10586138/Juan-Mata-signing-from-Chelsea-would-do-nothing-to-solve-Manchester-Uniteds-more-pressing-concerns.html]David Moyes will begin the rebuilding of Manchester United by working from the roof down if he pursues his interest in Juan Mata with a bid for the Chelsea midfielder.
Then again, if the roof is showing signs of caving in, it may not be the worst place to start in terms of solving one of the many problems he has inherited – and created – since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as manager at Old Trafford.
But with Moyes understood to be torn over whether to make a formal offer for the Spaniard – a player he rates highly – the fact that Mata is even on United’s radar this month hints at the lack of a coherent acquisition strategy at the club.
Ever since he began his job at United last summer, Moyes and senior figures have made it clear that two positions had been identified as priority areas for strengthening.
The first was central midfield, the other being left-back.
Despite adding Marouane Fellaini to the squad with a last minute £27.5 million deal in August, midfield remains an area of concern, while the left-back problem continues to be unresolved following failed bids for Leighton Baines and an aborted loan move for Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao at the end of the summer window.
Moyes has complained of a lack of time to make key additions last summer, but he had two months and should have pushed earlier and harder to ensure that new blood was secured.
Fantasy attempts to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale came to nothing, while United were led down the garden path by Cesc Fabregas during a futile two-month attempt to sign the Barcelona player.
Meanwhile, with Moyes talking of the January window being a difficult one in which to do business, the wheels have turned slowly as the hunt for a new left-back and central midfield has made little or no progress.
Chelsea’s £21m move for Benfica’s Nemanja Matic suggests that deals can be done during this window, but with United struggling to secure their priorities, it now appears as though they are prepared to indulge in some retail therapy by pursuing a luxury they do not really need.
Clearly, Mata’s talents will add to the creativity problems that have dogged United this season. He displayed those last term during an outstanding campaign at Stamford Bridge.
But with Jose Mourinho sceptical of Mata’s work-rate and contribution at the highest level, will he really be able to overcome those doubts at United?
Moyes has mirrored Mourinho’s doubts over Mata with similar concerns as to the worth of Shinji Kagawa, the Japanese midfielder, while Wilfried Zaha’s maverick talents are now deemed only good enough to warrant a place on the substitutes’ bench for the reserves.
Mata is a better player than both Kagawa and Zaha, but where would he fit in at United when Moyes has a fully fit Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie and a blossoming Adnan Januzaj at his disposal?
If United possessed the formidable midfield that Moyes desires and a genuine rival to Patrice Evra at left-back, then Mata would be a key addition and potentially the missing piece in the jigsaw.
But the jigsaw remains untouched in the box and there are probably several pieces missing, so Moyes’s dilemma over Mata is a strange one.
The Scot knows he has more urgent areas in need of strengthening and the problems in midfield and at the back will only get worse without immediate attention.
Signing Juan Mata will do nothing to solve either of the pressing issues that have contributed to United languishing in seventh place.[/article]
Then again, if the roof is showing signs of caving in, it may not be the worst place to start in terms of solving one of the many problems he has inherited – and created – since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as manager at Old Trafford.
But with Moyes understood to be torn over whether to make a formal offer for the Spaniard – a player he rates highly – the fact that Mata is even on United’s radar this month hints at the lack of a coherent acquisition strategy at the club.
Ever since he began his job at United last summer, Moyes and senior figures have made it clear that two positions had been identified as priority areas for strengthening.
The first was central midfield, the other being left-back.
Despite adding Marouane Fellaini to the squad with a last minute £27.5 million deal in August, midfield remains an area of concern, while the left-back problem continues to be unresolved following failed bids for Leighton Baines and an aborted loan move for Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao at the end of the summer window.
Moyes has complained of a lack of time to make key additions last summer, but he had two months and should have pushed earlier and harder to ensure that new blood was secured.
Fantasy attempts to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale came to nothing, while United were led down the garden path by Cesc Fabregas during a futile two-month attempt to sign the Barcelona player.
Meanwhile, with Moyes talking of the January window being a difficult one in which to do business, the wheels have turned slowly as the hunt for a new left-back and central midfield has made little or no progress.
Chelsea’s £21m move for Benfica’s Nemanja Matic suggests that deals can be done during this window, but with United struggling to secure their priorities, it now appears as though they are prepared to indulge in some retail therapy by pursuing a luxury they do not really need.
Clearly, Mata’s talents will add to the creativity problems that have dogged United this season. He displayed those last term during an outstanding campaign at Stamford Bridge.
But with Jose Mourinho sceptical of Mata’s work-rate and contribution at the highest level, will he really be able to overcome those doubts at United?
Moyes has mirrored Mourinho’s doubts over Mata with similar concerns as to the worth of Shinji Kagawa, the Japanese midfielder, while Wilfried Zaha’s maverick talents are now deemed only good enough to warrant a place on the substitutes’ bench for the reserves.
Mata is a better player than both Kagawa and Zaha, but where would he fit in at United when Moyes has a fully fit Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie and a blossoming Adnan Januzaj at his disposal?
If United possessed the formidable midfield that Moyes desires and a genuine rival to Patrice Evra at left-back, then Mata would be a key addition and potentially the missing piece in the jigsaw.
But the jigsaw remains untouched in the box and there are probably several pieces missing, so Moyes’s dilemma over Mata is a strange one.
The Scot knows he has more urgent areas in need of strengthening and the problems in midfield and at the back will only get worse without immediate attention.
Signing Juan Mata will do nothing to solve either of the pressing issues that have contributed to United languishing in seventh place.[/article]
